Young/Youth Players for First Team for Next Season
Posted: 11 Jul 2025, 14:04
If there is one potential benefit to lack of transfers it's that we "should" get to see some of the young players break through and get an opportunity.
If anything, there might be a few players in there that could save us a transfer or two. For instance, what is the point of Josh Brownhill, who won't hugely increase the quality of our midfield, when we have someone like Potts coming back off a successful loan spell?
Who are the players we are likely to see step-up? I mean genuinely, these are probably going to be players that we've already seen in and around the first team as I don't expect to see any new names in the mix.
Krisztián Hegyi
With Fab released, we have Areola and Foderingham as our current no.1 and 2. It does appear that we are after a new choice keeper having been linked with the likes of Ramsdale and Suzuki, although it's not clear if this is to support or replace Areola. But equally, could Hegyi provide some cover next season? My view is that he won't get a look in.
Kaelen Casey
With Todibo, Killman and Mavropanos, and Aguerd desperate to leave, Potter only has 3 CB's for his preferred back 3 which leaves us worryingly short. I'd argue that we need to bring Casey in for competition otherwise we need to find the funds for at least 2 more CB's as we also no longer have Cresswell for cover. Casey should be in the squad at least and it should definitely help his progress to learn from the senior players.
Freddie Potts
Possibly the most likely to challenge for a place in midfield so long as we can shift the likes of Guido Rodriguez and don't replace him with another 30+ has-been. Had a successful spell at Portsmouth where he would have come back stronger. Also maybe the most popular and the one the fans are more eager to see owing to his family connections to the club. Could he add some pace and dynamism to our midfield?
Lewis Orford
I thought he looked up for is in his first game, in the sense that he was always showing for the ball and keen to get involved. For me that's a great sign of confidence and evidence that he may not be fazed by the big stage. I think he's the youngest of the bunch and there is competition in midfield (or at least we hope there will be if we manage to sign anyone decent) so it could be that he is sent out on loan next season?
George Earthy
His introduction to the first team was met with real enthusiasm at the tail end of 23/24 season although his experience was cut short with a head injury which was a bit worrying at the time, but won the fans over by scoring on his return from injury. Looked quite comfortable in the first team and has hopefully grown as a player in his loan spell at Bristol City last year.
Luiz Guillherme
Not an academy player but still a teenager! I actually think he looked pretty lively when he got a chance last season without being too spectacular. There is no rush to be the finished article yet so I hope and expect to him to be in and around the first team again for another season. With Kudus gone and Summerville returning from injury, I think he's a decent player to have waiting in the wings - but I just think he needs to start showing bit more than just promise going into this season and actually give us a real goal/assist threat when he comes on.
Callum Marshall
There was allot of hype when we signed him and he did as well as could be asked in the youth teams by scoring loads of goals. His return on loan at Huddersfield was less than prolific with 10 goals in 33 starts, but for a young player learning his trade I'd argue that was respectable. With Fullkrug the only recognised striker in the sqaud, he should at least get a chance in pre-season and you never know what happens if he is able to bang a few goals in, especially if he can score out in the states against the Premier League teams.
Am I missing anyone?
If anything, there might be a few players in there that could save us a transfer or two. For instance, what is the point of Josh Brownhill, who won't hugely increase the quality of our midfield, when we have someone like Potts coming back off a successful loan spell?
Who are the players we are likely to see step-up? I mean genuinely, these are probably going to be players that we've already seen in and around the first team as I don't expect to see any new names in the mix.
Krisztián Hegyi
With Fab released, we have Areola and Foderingham as our current no.1 and 2. It does appear that we are after a new choice keeper having been linked with the likes of Ramsdale and Suzuki, although it's not clear if this is to support or replace Areola. But equally, could Hegyi provide some cover next season? My view is that he won't get a look in.
Kaelen Casey
With Todibo, Killman and Mavropanos, and Aguerd desperate to leave, Potter only has 3 CB's for his preferred back 3 which leaves us worryingly short. I'd argue that we need to bring Casey in for competition otherwise we need to find the funds for at least 2 more CB's as we also no longer have Cresswell for cover. Casey should be in the squad at least and it should definitely help his progress to learn from the senior players.
Freddie Potts
Possibly the most likely to challenge for a place in midfield so long as we can shift the likes of Guido Rodriguez and don't replace him with another 30+ has-been. Had a successful spell at Portsmouth where he would have come back stronger. Also maybe the most popular and the one the fans are more eager to see owing to his family connections to the club. Could he add some pace and dynamism to our midfield?
Lewis Orford
I thought he looked up for is in his first game, in the sense that he was always showing for the ball and keen to get involved. For me that's a great sign of confidence and evidence that he may not be fazed by the big stage. I think he's the youngest of the bunch and there is competition in midfield (or at least we hope there will be if we manage to sign anyone decent) so it could be that he is sent out on loan next season?
George Earthy
His introduction to the first team was met with real enthusiasm at the tail end of 23/24 season although his experience was cut short with a head injury which was a bit worrying at the time, but won the fans over by scoring on his return from injury. Looked quite comfortable in the first team and has hopefully grown as a player in his loan spell at Bristol City last year.
Luiz Guillherme
Not an academy player but still a teenager! I actually think he looked pretty lively when he got a chance last season without being too spectacular. There is no rush to be the finished article yet so I hope and expect to him to be in and around the first team again for another season. With Kudus gone and Summerville returning from injury, I think he's a decent player to have waiting in the wings - but I just think he needs to start showing bit more than just promise going into this season and actually give us a real goal/assist threat when he comes on.
Callum Marshall
There was allot of hype when we signed him and he did as well as could be asked in the youth teams by scoring loads of goals. His return on loan at Huddersfield was less than prolific with 10 goals in 33 starts, but for a young player learning his trade I'd argue that was respectable. With Fullkrug the only recognised striker in the sqaud, he should at least get a chance in pre-season and you never know what happens if he is able to bang a few goals in, especially if he can score out in the states against the Premier League teams.
Am I missing anyone?
